Lesson 2 Word List

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a scraping or rubbing away of skin or mucous membrane as a result of friction to the area

abscess

a localized collection of pus in any part of the body

acne vulgaris

a common inflammatory disorder seen on the face, chest, back, and neck, and which appears as papules, pustules, and comedos

actinic keratosis

a premalignant, gray or red-to-brown, hardened lesion caused by excessive exposure to sunlight

adip/o

fat

albin/o

white

albino, albinism

An individual with a marked deficiency of pigment in the eyes, hair and skin. A condition characterized by absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes

alopecia

partial or complete loss of hair, may result from normal aging, a reaction to a medication such as anticancer medications, and endocrine disorder, or some skin disease

amputation

the surgical removal of a part of the body or a limb or a part of a limb; performed to treat recurrent infections or gangrene of a limb

ana-

not, without

anter/o

front

autograft

tissue that is taken from one site and grafted to another site on the same person

bedsore

an inflammation, sore, or ulcer in the skin over a bony prominence of the body, resulting from loss of blood supply and oxygen to the area due to prolonged pressure on the body part; also known as a pressure ulcer.

blackhead

an open comedo, caused by accumulation of keratin and sebum within the opening of a hair follicle

blister

a small, thin-walled skin lesion containing clear fluid; a vesicle

boil

a localized pus-producing infection originating deep in a hair follicle; a furuncle

bruise

a bluish-black discoloration of the skin or mucous membrane caused by an escape of blood into the tissues as a result of injury to the area; also known as ecchymosis or a black-and-blue mark

a common, usually painless thickening of the epidermis at sites of external pressure or friction. This localized hyperplastic area of up to 1 inch in size is also know as a callosity.

carbuncle

a circumscribed inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues that contains pus, which eventually discharges to the skin surface

caut/o

burn

cautery

heat or caustic substances that burn or scar the skin (coagulation of tissue)

cellulitis

a diffuse, acute infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by localized heat, deep redness, pain and swelling

cerumen

ear wax

cervic/o

neck; cervix

cicatrix

a scar; the pale, firm tissue that forms in the healing of a wound

coccyg/o

coccyx

comedo

the typical lesion of acne vulgaris, caused by accumulation of keratin and sebum within the opening of a hair follicle

contusion

an injury to a part of the body without a break in the skin

crani/o

skull; cranium

cryosurgery

a noninvasive treatment that uses sub-freezing temperature to freeze and destroy the tissue. Coolants such as liquid nitrogen are used in the metal probe.

curettage and electrodessication

this procedure involves scraping away abnormal tissue followed by destroying the tumor base with a low-voltage electrode

cutane/o

skin

cyanosis

slightly bluish, grayish, slate-like, or dark discoloration of the skin due to the presence of abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin in the blood

cyst

a closed sac or pouch in or within the skin that contains fluid, semifluid, or solid material

cyt/o

cell

debridement

removal of debris, foreign objects, and damaged or necrotic tissue from a wound in order to prevent infection and to promote healing

decub.

bedsore

decubitis ulcer

chronic ulcer of the skin caused by prolonged pressure on it, a bedsore

derm.

dermatology

derm/o

skin

dermabrasion

removal of the epidermis and a portion of the dermis with sandpaper or brushes in order to eliminate superficial scars or unwanted tattoos

dermat/o

skin

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin, seen in several forms. May be acute or chronic, contact or seborrheic

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin, seen in several forms. May be acute or chronic, contact or seborrheic

dermatoplasty

skin transplantation to a body surface damaged by injury or disease

diaphoresis

the secretion of sweat

dors/o

back

dys-

bad, difficult, painful, disordered

ecchymosis

a bluish-black discoloration of the skin or mucous membrane caused by an escape of blood into the tissues as a result of an injury to the area; also known as a bruise or a black-and-blue mark

eczema

an acute or chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, pustules, scales, crusts, or scabs, and is accompanied by intense itching

electrodessication or fulguration

a technique using an electrical spark to burn and destroy tissue; used for the removal of surface lesions

electrosurgery

the removal or destruction of tissue with an electrical current

epi-

upon, over

erythema

redness of the skin due to capillary dilatation. An example is nervous blushing or a mild sunburn.

erythr/o

red

escharotomy

an incision made into the necrotic tissue resulting from a severe burn

excoriation

an injury to the surface of the skin caused by trauma, such as scratching or abrasions

first degree burn

a burn that affects the epidermis only, causing erythema without blistering

fissure

a crack-like sore or groove in the skin or mucous membrane

fistula

an abnormal passageway between two tubular organs (e.g. rectum and vagina) or from an organ to the body surface

FS

Frozen section

furuncle

a localized pus-producing infection originating deep in a hair follicle; a boil

gangrene

death of tissue, most often involving the extremities; usually the result of ischemia (loss of blood supply to an area), bacterial invasion and subsequent putrefaction (decaying) of the tissues, producing a very offensive, foul odor

hemangioma

a benign (nonmalignant) tumor that consists of a mass of blood vessels and has a reddish-purple color

herpes zoster (shingles)

an acute viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox; characterized by painful, vesicular lesions or eruptions on the skin following along the nerve pathways of underlying spinal or cranial nerves

xenograft

issue from an animal of one species used as a temporary graft (as in cases of severe burns) on an individual of another species

heterograft

issue from an animal of one species used as a temporary graft (as in cases of severe burns) on an individual of another species

hidr/o

sweat

hirsutism

a condition in which there is excessive body hair in a male distribution pattern

hist/o

tissue

hits/o

tissue

hives

circumscribed, slightly elevated lesions of the skin that are paler in the center than their surrounding edges; also known as wheal(s)

allograft

tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the same species but different genetic makeup

homograft

tissue or organ transplanted from a donor of the same species but different genetic makeup

hydrocele

an accumulation of fluid in any saclike cavity or duct, particularly the scrotal sac or along the spermatic cord

hypo-

under, below, beneath less than

I&D

Incision and drainage

-iac

pertaining to

ichthy/o

fish

ili/o

ilium

impetigo

contagious superficial skin infection characterized by serous vesicles and pustules filled with millions of staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria, usually forming on the face

inguin/o

groin

inter-

between

-ion

action, process

keloid

an enlarged, irregularly shaped, and elevated scar that forms due to the presence of large amounts of collagen during the formation of the scar

kerat/o

hard, horny

keratosis

skin condition in which there is a thickening and overgrowth of the cornified epithelium

laceration

a tear in the skin

later/o

side

lesion

a wound, injury, or any pathological change in body tissue; any visible damage to the tissues of the skin, such as a wound, sore, rash, or boil

leuk/o

white

leukoplakia

white, hard, thickened patches firmly attached to the mucous membrane in areas such as the mouth, vulva, or penis

lip/o

fat

liposuction

aspiration of fat through a suction cannula or curette to alter the body contours

lumb/o

loins, lower back

macule

a small, flat discoloration of the skin that is neither raised nor depressed

medi/o

middle

melan/o

black

myc/o

fungus

nevus

visual accumulation of melanocytes, creating a flat or raised rounded macule or papule with definite borders

nodule

a small, circumscribed swelling protruding above the skin

nucle/o

nucleus

onych/o

nails

onychocryptosis

ingrown nail

onycholysis

separation of a fingernail fro its bed, beginning at the free margin. This condition is associated with dermatitis of the hand, psoriasis and fungal infection

onychomycosis

any fungal infection of the nails

onycophagia

the habit of biting the nails

pachyderma

abnormal thickening of the skin

papule

a small, solid, circumscribed elevation on the skin

paronychia

inflammation of the fold of skin surrounding the fingernail; also called run-around

pediculosis

infestation with lice

pelv/i

pelvis

petechia

small, purpleish, hemorrhagic spots on the skin

pil/o

hair

pilonidal cyst

a closed sac located in the sacrococcygeal area of the back and sometimes noted at birth as a dimple.

pimple

a papule or pustule of the skin

-plasm

living substance

polyp

a small, stalklike growth that protrudes upward or outward from a mucous membrane surface, resembling a mushroom stalk

a group of bleeding disorders characterized by bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes; small, pinpoint hemorrhages are known as petechia and larger hemmorrhagic areas are known as ecchymoses or bruises

pustule

a small elevation of the skin filled with pus; a small abscess

rosacea

a chronic inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the skin of the middle third of the face

sacr/o

sacrum

SC

subcutaneous

scabies

a highly contagious parasitic infestation caused by the "human itch mite," resulting in a rash, pruritus, and a feeling in the skin of "something crawling"

scler/o

hard

scleroderma

a gradual thickening of the dermis and swelling of the hands and feet to a state in which the skin is anchored to the underlying tissue

appears as brown to waxy yellow wartlike lesion(s) 5 to 20 mm in diameter, loosely attached to the skin surface also known as senile warts

second degree burn

a burn that affects the epidermis and the dermis

skin biopsy

the removal of a small piece of tissue from skin lesions for the purpose of examining it under a microscope to confirm or establish a diagnosis

skin graft

a process or placing tissue on a recipient site, taken from a donor site, in order to provide the protective mechanisms of skin to an area unable to regenerate skin

skin tags

a small, brownish or flesh colored outgrowth of skin occurring frequently on the neck; also known as a cutaneous papilloma

SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus

-some

"a body" of a specified type

spin/o

spine

squam/o

scales

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

a chronic, multisystem inflammatory connective tissue disease characterized by lesions of the nervous system and skin, renal problems, and vasculitis in which immune complexes are formed from the reaction of SLE autoantibodies and their corresponding antigens; these immune complexes are deposited in the connective tissues of lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, and other tissues

TENS

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

third degree burn

a burn that destroys both the epidermis and the dermis

thorac/o

chest

tinea

ringworm, a chronic fungal infection of the skin characterized by scaling, itching, and sometimes painful lesions

tinea capitis

ringworm of the scalp

tinea corporis

ringworm of the body

tinea cruris

ringworm of the groin also known as jock itch

tinea pedis

ringworm of the foot also known as athlete's foot

trich/o

hair

ulcer

a circumscribed, open sore or lesion of the skin that is accompanied by inflammation

umbilic/o

navel

urticaria

a reaction of the skin in which there is an appearance of smooth, slightly elevated patches (wheals) that are redder or paler than the surrounding skin and often accompanied by severe itching (pruritus)

UV

ultraviolet

ventr/o

belly, front side

verruca (a.k.a. wart)

a benign, circumscribed, elevated skin lesion that results from hypertrophy of the epidermis; caused by the human papilloma virus

vertebr/o

vertebra

vesicle

a small, thin-walled, skin lesion containing clear fluid; a blister

viscer/o

internal organs

vitiligo

a skin disorder characterized by nonpigmented white patches of skin of varying sizes that are surrounded by skin with normal pigmentation

wheal

a circumscribed, slightly elevated lesion of the skin that is paler in the center than its surrounding edges; hives

whitehead

a closed comedo, caused by accumulation of keratin and sebum within the opening of a hair follicle; the contents are not easily expressed

word element

meaning

xanth/o

yellow

xanthoderma

any yellow coloration of the skin

xer/o

dryness

xeroderma

a chronic skin condition characterized by roughness and dryness

plane

imaginary slices made through the body at a particular angle and in a particular direction, permitting a view from a different direction

midsagittal plane

the plane that divides the body or a structure into right and left equal portions

midline

the imaginary "line" that is created when the body is divided into equal right and left halves

frontal plane

any of the vertical planes passing through the body from the head to the feet, perpendicular to the sagittal planes ad dividing the body into front and back portions

transverse plane

any of the planes cutting across the body perpendicular to the sagittal and frontal planes dividing the body into superior and inferior portions

histologist

a medical scientist who specializes in the study of tissues

histology

the study of tissues

superficial

pertaining to the surface of the body, or near the surface

deep

away from the surface

anterior

pertaining to the front of the body, or toward the belly of the body

posterior

pertaining to the back of the body

ventral

of or pertaining to a position toward the belly of the body

dorsal

pertaining to the back or posterior

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

toward the side of the body, away from the midline of the body

superior

above or upward toward the head

inferior

below or downward toward the tail or feet

cranial

pertaining to the head

caudal

pertaining to tail

distal

away from or farthest from the trunk

proximal

toward or nearest

supine

lying horizontally on the back

prone

lying facedown horizontally on the abdomen

supination

a movement that allows the palms of the hands to turn upward and forward

pronation

a movement that allows the palms of the hands to turn downward and backward

plantar

pertaining to the sole or bottom of the foot

dorsum

the back or posterior surface of a part

neoplasia

the new and abnormal development of cells that may be benign or malignant

mediolateral

pertaining to the middle and side of a structure

hypoplasia

incomplete or underdeveloped organ or tissue, usually the result of a decrease in the number of cells

hyperplasia

an increase in the number of cells of a body part

dysplasia

any abnormal development of tissues or organs

cytology

the study of cells

aplasia

a development failure resulting in the absence of any organ or tissue

anaplasia

a change in the structure and orientation of cells, characterized by a loss of differentiation and reversion to a more primitive form

ventral cavity

the body cavity near the front of the body that consists of the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

dorsal cavity

the body cavity near the back of the body that consists of the cranial and vertebral cavities

thoracic cavity

contains the lungs, heart, aorta, esophagus, and trachea

abdominal cavity

separated

pelvic cavity

contains the urinary bladder and reproductive organs

cranial cavity

contains the brain

spinal cavity

contains the nerves of spinal cord

left lingual region

lower left section of the abdomen

hypogastric region

lower middle section of the abdomen

right inguinal region

lower right section of the abdomen

left lumbar region

middle left section of the abdomen

umbilical region

middle section of the abdomen

right lumbar region

middle right section of the abdomen

lefty hypochondriac region

upper left section of the abdomen

epigastric region

upper middle section of the abdomen

right hypochondriac region

upper right section of the abdomen

Munro's point

located on the left side of the abdomen, halfway between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip

McBurney's point

located on the right side of the abdomen, halfway between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip